Nonprofit groups have promised a new house for a war-wounded amputee, free of mortgage payments, and they hope to inspire builders to follow their lead nationwide.

Published 3:18 pm, Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Retired Army Sgt. Jorge De Leon (right) and his wife Nydia are overcome with emotion Tuesday at a Texas Sentinels Luncheon after finding out that they will become the recipients of a new home.

Retired Army Sgt. Jorge De Leon (right) and his wife Nydia are overcome with emotion Tuesday at a Texas Sentinels Luncheon after finding out that they will become the recipients of a new home.

Wounded veteran getting a new home

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A war-wounded amputee learned Tuesday that he and his family will get the home of their dreams, mortgage-free.

It was an emotional moment when retired Army Sgt. Jorge De Leon and his family were told they'll have a home custom-built next year in San Antonio.

"I've never had any regrets and I never will, and it's because of you people," he told about 100 construction and real estate professionals at a luncheon at the Club at Sonterra.

The house will be the sixth in Texas and the first outside the Houston area built for wounded service members through the efforts of two nonprofit groups aiming to take the program nationwide. Dan Wallrath, founder of Bay Area Builders Association Support Our Troops, said the program began in 2005 when the father of a young veteran with head injuries needed remodeling done.

Wallrath, a builder, had contractors do it for free. He decided they could go a step further by building houses for the wounded.

The program now partners with the Texas Sentinels Foundation, which is supported by RE/MAX of Texas and other sponsors to provide furniture, career placement and other benefits. Since most materials are donated, the program can build a $275,000 house for about $40,000.

Tilson Home Corp. will build De Leon's home. Edward Martin, Tilson president, said he felt a duty to "help one of those who put their lives on the line."

De Leon, 36, lost most of his right leg when his Humvee hit an anti-tank mine in Afghanistan in 2004. But the Puerto Rico native, who has a computerized prosthesis, has inspired others with his active lifestyle. He's gone hunting, fishing and hand cycling, finished the Los Angeles Marathon in his wheelchair and now competes in martial arts.

Many factors, including talks with Vietnam veterans who suffered indignities at home, and the pride of seeing his Purple Heart medal, drove De Leon to overcome his initial anger and depression.

"Most of all, it was my family," he said.

With his wife, Nydia, and three of their children at his side - the oldest, 14, was in school - he thanked everyone for a gift he said will let him "concentrate more on giving a good future to my kids."

He said he and his wife now pay a mortgage and haven't thought about what they'd want in their new home, besides "a secure roof over our heads."

Wallrath said he'll urge others at the International Builders' Show in Las Vegas in January to pursue similar projects to aid an estimated 3,500 troops recovering from major wounds. Next year, the program plans to build its first veteran's home outside Texas, in Chicago.

"One thing we can all agree on is that these people really need some help," Wallrath said.